Ethan Cantrell recently sat down with Dr. Dave Sjeklocha for this a new episode of Groundbreakers: Stories of Rural Innovation. Dr. Dave, as he is called by many, serves as the Director of Beef Welfare at Merck Animal Health—and if you’ve ever worked with him, you know he brings a calm, steady presence and a practical mindset to every conversation.

From cattle handling tools to feedyard protocols, Dr. Dave has spent his career helping livestock producers do things better—for their crew, for their animals, and for their bottom line.

In this episode learn:

• How switching to a shorter prod saved 30% in battery costs while improving cattle movement
• How a simple mindset shift of asking, “Wait—what?” before jumping on trends or tech is always a good idea
• How Dr. Dave stays curious, even after decades in the field, leading to better care & outcomes
• How carcass data and feedback loops are influencing real-time animal health decisions
• More about global perspectives on biosecurity—and what it means for ranches right here in the Midwest

Dr. Dave is one of the most trusted voices in the industry for a reason. He’s grounded, generous with his knowledge, and focused on practical improvements that matter.

At MJE Livestock Equipment, we take a lot of pride in the relationships we’ve built—with both the people caring for livestock every day and the companies like Merck Animal Health that are leading the way in research and innovation. This episode is a great example of what can happen when those worlds come together.

LISTEN NOW:

Listen to more episodes:

• Building the Future with MJE CEO Aaron Jantz
• From Estimates to Advocacy – Jill Wahl Leads in Construction & Rare Disease Awareness
• Meet Lighting Larry Deges Former Rodeo Clown & Livestock Equipment Expert